Trinity Repertory Company’s production of Primary Trust, Eboni Booth’s 2023 Pulitzer Prize–winning play, is a comedy regarding the courage to begin again. The most widely run production today, this heartwarming story about one man’s leap of faith and the friends he makes along the way is an exquisite portrait of loneliness, connection, and revamping a life. Under the sensitive direction of Tatyana-Marie Carlo, this poignantly offbeat comedy turns the ordinary rhythms of small-town existence into something radiant and heartfelt.
Kenneth, a gentle, socially withdrawn bookstore clerk whose days consistently involve routine and isolation, has lived his entire life in the sleepy town of Cranberry, New York. Each day, he works his shift at a bookstore, then indulges in happy hour Mai Tais at Wally’s Tiki Bar with a close friend. When a sudden layoff catapults Kenneth out of his comfort zone, he’s forced to find the courage to face what we all dread: change!
In this play, the stakes are internal. Booth finds emotional breadth in simplicity, capturing the journey with tender empathy. By the final scene, when Kenneth takes his first steps into an uncertain future, the audience feels the quiet triumph of watching someone relearn trust in others as well as in himself. Carlo’s skillful direction helps keep the production’s delicate tone unscathed. The patient pacing permits Booth’s dialogue to penetrate, allowing moments of silence to be given as much weight as the discourse.
Taavon Gamble’s flawless interpretation of Kenneth is thoughtfully detailed and unflinchingly honest as someone capable of deep feeling and tremendous caution. Every move toward human connection can feel either perilous or miraculous. Minuscule gestures, such as the start of a nervous smile, or the way he clutches his drinks at Wally’s where much of the play unfolds, speak to his longing to be seen while unseen.
With this dynamic cast of four, a lot of ground is covered, yet it never feels hurried. Minor roles never feel minute. A few supporting characters, including figments of Kenneth’s world, are presented with humanity and virtuosity. Daniel Shtivelberg’s portrayals of both an idiosyncratic bank manager and an ailing business owner are affecting, transparently alternating between authority and vulnerability.
Marina Tejada portrays Corrina, plus another server or two, or 12. She is spirit personified with a capital S! Each character she touches, however briefly, contributes to the energy and community of Cranberry, where warm familiarity meets silent haunting. Kenneth’s sensible best friend, Bert, is amicably portrayed by Rudy Cabrera. All deliver their lines with well-timed vim, or the benevolence called for in the moment.
Patrick Lynch’s scenic design gives us a rolling set that transforms the room from tiki bar to bank office, reflecting the play’s sense of cyclical routine, and the slow-turning wheels of Kenneth’s mind. Pieces flow freely and are even incorporated into the laughs. With sound by Michael Costagliola, time jumps in brief moments after each bong of a bell. Amanda Downing Carney’s costumes and Lovanni Gomez’s lighting design help add to the realism.
Says Carlo, “I hope that what audiences see from Kenneth is someone rising to the challenge, someone who has experienced deep trauma, and is figuring out how to live life by himself with nobody: no support system, no family; and then slowly building a support system from the ground up with the people around him, intentionally or unintentionally. I hope that provides hope! I think that we all need people, and it’s never too late to find our people.”
Warm, humane, and impeccably acted, Trinity Rep’s Primary Trust is a roller coaster ride with wit, thrills, and enormous heart. It’s as weighted as it is uplifting. Judging from the audience’s reaction on opening night, every intended laugh lands with precision. Come see what all the belly laughs are about!
Trinity presents Primary Trust through May 10. Show runs about 95 minutes with no intermission. For more info, visit trinityrep.com/show/primary-trust